Planning a trip to VA
Apr 20, 2021 15:08:09 #
PHRubin wrote:
I64 does not go through Tennessee, it goes further... (show quote)
I know it does KY. I have friends near Lexington, so might stop there (note the word "might"). I'll look at tolls. Don't like them, because I never carry cash! Thought I might do that of going one way and returning the other. That way I get to see more country!
Apr 20, 2021 15:23:22 #
AzPicLady wrote:
I know it does KY. I have friends near Lexington, so might stop there (note the word "might"). I'll look at tolls. Don't like them, because I never carry cash! Thought I might do that of going one way and returning the other. That way I get to see more country!
You may be able to contact the WV & VA highway / tourist office & request state highway maps. Beware of accidently turning onto a toll road in the greater Washington DC area. I made that mistake! The toll boots were automatic, either PayPass or credit card, except for the one that hand an attendant. I was give a bill for the toll, to pay when I returned home. The postage & 'convenience' fee was more than the actual toll!
Apr 20, 2021 15:43:47 #
AzPicLady wrote:
I'll make a note of that. I do use a Tom-Tom when traveling, and it is set to guide me onto "interesting" routes. So I sometimes get fun surprises! Every time I look at the price of new maps, I'm reminded how much groceries that $$ would buy! Wish they still gave free maps at gas stations!
Sometimes you can get free maps at state welcome centers and rest areas.
‘Google Maps’ can also show you other options then you can compare to what Tom Tom is showing. If you have already done VA then stick with WV and enjoy something different
Apr 20, 2021 16:00:10 #
twowindsbear wrote:
You may be able to contact the WV & VA highway / tourist office & request state highway maps. Beware of accidently turning onto a toll road in the greater Washington DC area. I made that mistake! The toll boots were automatic, either PayPass or credit card, except for the one that hand an attendant. I was give a bill for the toll, to pay when I returned home. The postage & 'convenience' fee was more than the actual toll!
I had to pay a surprise toll on the way to Arlington. I luckily had a quarter. But it was Ecuadorian!
Apr 21, 2021 06:20:42 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
AzPicLady wrote:
from central Illinois. Debating on taking either I-70 (will take me a bit too far north) or I-64 (a bit difficult to follow on my old map). Does anyone have any suggestions for "must-sees" along either route. I'm debating going to Gettysburg. Is West Virginia pretty enough that I'll want to stop and take lots of pictures?
tripadvisor.com
Apr 21, 2021 07:27:24 #
AzPicLady wrote:
from central Illinois. Debating on taking either I-70 (will take me a bit too far north) or I-64 (a bit difficult to follow on my old map). Does anyone have any suggestions for "must-sees" along either route. I'm debating going to Gettysburg. Is West Virginia pretty enough that I'll want to stop and take lots of pictures?
Without reading all the other replies, let me sing the praises of WVA. Eastern mountains aren't as tall as their cousins out west but the beauty is still there. Eastern WVA is one of my favorite places on earth. Monongahela National Forest, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Canyon of the Blackwater River, New River Gorge, Babcock State Park, Grandview State Park. I could go on but you probably get the point.
Re: Gettysburg, for a somewhat more somber battlefield with less marble, swing by Sharpsburg Md. Bloodiest single day battle in US history. And, of course, all of this is a stone's throw from Shenandoah NP and Skyline Drive.
Hope you have a great trip.
Apr 21, 2021 07:36:28 #
AzPicLady wrote:
from central Illinois. Debating on taking either I-70 (will take me a bit too far north) or I-64 (a bit difficult to follow on my old map). Does anyone have any suggestions for "must-sees" along either route. I'm debating going to Gettysburg. Is West Virginia pretty enough that I'll want to stop and take lots of pictures?
We lived in the Shenandoah Valley for years (Lexington) and I-64 is a much more scenic and enjoyable route, the route through KY is so beautiful and the same with WV. Winding roads? Its Interstate and they're not all that bad. I-70 will get to Gettysburg faster but I-64 and I-81 through the Shenandoah is more scenic plus you're just a few miles off the Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Drive NP that parallels I-81. Cheers, have a safe and enjoyable trip...
ps, If you travel I-64, you might stop by White Sulfur Springs and drive through The Greenbrier, an old (1778) and beautiful resort.
Apr 21, 2021 08:45:20 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
I'm glad you said that, Fred. I lived in W.Va at one time and I remember a trip my parents took us on through Caanan Valley. We visited Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, Spruce Knob and a few other places including Black Water Falls. It was a great trip and I have fond memories and a bunch of old pictures.
Sounds like the same trip I took in 2019. West Virginia is a beautiful state.
Apr 21, 2021 08:56:24 #
AzPicLady wrote:
I sort of "did" Virginia a couple of years ago - visiting battle sites, historic places, etc. This time it's go to visit family, mostly. I do have friends in Williamsburg, so might try to see them somehow. My cousins live in Manassas. About all I've seen of WV is Harper's Ferry!
As I look at my map, 64 through WV looks like a lot of turns. But my map is old.
As I look at my map, 64 through WV looks like a lot of turns. But my map is old.
Even if your map is old, I-64 hasn’t changed. It’s curvy, but it’s still an Interstate highway. You’ll just have to get off the Interstate to get goos shots.
Apr 21, 2021 08:58:22 #
Just Fred wrote:
Resident of (Northern) Virginia here. In my opinion, West Virginia is one of the most picturesque states east of the Mississippi. Route 64 is probably the longest time-wise, but it would take you through Tennessee (also very picturesque) into Virginia. If you wanted to see WV, there are plenty of side trips you could make. In my opinion, a direct west-to-east route would be rather boring, and only the best choice if time is an issue.
I-64 doesn’t get near Tennessee...
Apr 21, 2021 09:13:10 #
Don W-37
Loc: Bangkok, Thailand
twowindsbear wrote:
Gettysburg, Antietam, Harpers Ferry, Shenandoah Va... (show quote)
Agree with twowindsbear and with prior comments about W. VA. I also think the Gettysburg attractions are great. We lived in Mt. Airy, MD for 8 years prior to relocating to BKK, so familiar with mid-Atlantic area.
My main suggestion regarding your "old map" is go to Wal-Mart and buy a GPS. They are so cheap we just buy a new one when we go back to the States.
Enjoy your trip,
Don
Apr 21, 2021 09:13:29 #
Kathy after reviewing your visual statement on https://kathy-mcclure.pixels.com/ I would suggest you visit Great Falls National Park (Virginia Side) https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
However please check with NPS to verify current operating hours (Covid Pandemic has caused changes to previous operating hours)
You should be able to capture some breathtaking views of the falls and also the beautiful spring foliage.
See Below.
btw, this park is only minutes from my studio thus I've invested countless tranquil and serene hours there.
Hope this helps... All the best on your epic journey Kathy.
.
However please check with NPS to verify current operating hours (Covid Pandemic has caused changes to previous operating hours)
You should be able to capture some breathtaking views of the falls and also the beautiful spring foliage.
See Below.
btw, this park is only minutes from my studio thus I've invested countless tranquil and serene hours there.
Hope this helps... All the best on your epic journey Kathy.
.
Great Falls VA National Park (Mather Gorge)
(Download)
Great Falls VA National Park (Mather Gorge) with a 10 stop ND Filter
(Download)
Apr 21, 2021 09:14:36 #
Tote1940
Loc: Dallas
twowindsbear wrote:
Gettysburg, Antietam, Harpers Ferry, Shenandoah Va... (show quote)
If you enjoy boating Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke
Apr 21, 2021 09:16:19 #
AzPicLady wrote:
from central Illinois. Debating on taking either I-70 (will take me a bit too far north) or I-64 (a bit difficult to follow on my old map). Does anyone have any suggestions for "must-sees" along either route. I'm debating going to Gettysburg. Is West Virginia pretty enough that I'll want to stop and take lots of pictures?
see http://www.wvphotographs.com/ for some nice samples of Kent Mason's photography of WV
Apr 21, 2021 09:18:30 #
AzPicLady wrote:
from central Illinois. Debating on taking either I-70 (will take me a bit too far north) or I-64 (a bit difficult to follow on my old map). Does anyone have any suggestions for "must-sees" along either route. I'm debating going to Gettysburg. Is West Virginia pretty enough that I'll want to stop and take lots of pictures?
While in Virginia a must-see is the historic towns of Williamsburg and Yorktown, and Jamestown. All have many, many photo opportunities.
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